Cairns welcomes riders from around the globe for Masters MTB World Championships

Cairns will again take centre stage as it prepares to host the 2025 UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, with riders from across the globe converging on the iconic Smithfield trails to contest world titles in both downhill and cross-country from 14 – 18 May.

The event, set in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, promises world-class competition with hundreds of riders aged 35 and over representing dozens of nations, including Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania.

Australia will be well represented, not only in numbers but in talent, with several defending world champions returning to race on home soil.

Among them is Adrian Jackson who claimed the XCO title in the 40-44 category last year and will look to repeat his performance on a course he knows well.

Sharon Heap and Bev Anderson also have the opportunity to make it back to back rainbow jerseys in their respective categories.

Bev Anderson returns to defend her title

In a major drawcard for the event, former elite downhill World Cup champion Nathan Rennie is set to line up in the 40–44 DH category, bringing serious firepower and experience to the Masters stage.

Rennie, known for his fearless style and deep roots in Australian mountain biking, will be a key rider to watch when racing hits full speed.

The Smithfield Mountain Bike Park offers a blend of flowing rainforest single-track, rocky descents, and technical challenges across both disciplines.

The downhill track will again feature high-speed straights, root-laced drops, the famous “Alien Tree” section, while the cross-country course combines short punchy climbs, dense jungle switchbacks, and the notorious “Jacobs Ladder” all made more demanding by the region’s heat and humidity.

XC rider taking on the famous Jacobs Ladder

With world titles, rainbow jerseys, and national pride on the line, the 2025 Masters World Championships will be a celebration of the enduring passion and camaraderie that defines mountain biking at all levels.